​​UDA Gloucestershire is reflecting on a hugely successful 2025/26 campaign, with progress made across the programme both on and off the pitch.

From team trophies and individual player achievements to academic support, player development, graduation success and stronger links with the University of Gloucestershire, the season has provided plenty to celebrate — while also setting a strong foundation for continued growth in 2026/27.

This year, 12 UDA students successfully graduated from the University of Gloucestershire, with three choosing to continue their studies by undertaking a master’s degree. The programme also achieved an 87% retention rate heading into the 2026/27 campaign, reflecting the strength of the student-athlete experience and the commitment of players, staff and families.
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A key development this season has been the continued growth of the relationship between UDA and the University of Gloucestershire BUCS department. More UDA players have had the opportunity to represent the university alongside UK students, creating a stronger connection between the football programme and the wider university environment.​

Success on the Pitch

​The football programme enjoyed a memorable season, with major achievements across both the men’s and women’s programmes.

On the men’s side, the programme celebrated three cup final wins, while the UDA First Years won their BUCS league. The University of Gloucestershire First Team also completed a treble-winning season, securing the league, cup and varsity titles, with several UDA players regularly involved.

Individual player success was also a major highlight. Jaxson Hundt and Mikkiel Graham were selected for the England Universities South Squad, with Mikkiel Graham and Jaxson Hundt also earning selection for the English Universities National Squad — the first time a University of Gloucestershire footballer has achieved this since 2001.

The goalkeeping programme also continued to develop, with UDA goalkeepers training weekly with Cheltenham Town FC U18s and taking part in specialist sessions with A Licence coach Neil Moore.

The women’s programme also took significant steps forward this season, competing at a higher standard and regularly facing professional club development sides. The team finished joint top of the FA WNL Championship Division, showing clear progress in performance, consistency and resilience throughout the campaign.
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Several players also gained valuable experience in external football environments. Eva Dufresne represented Weston-super-Mare WFC, including involvement in their League Cup final success, while Dani Soave represented Forest Green Rovers WFC and trialled for the England Universities South Team.​

Strengthening the Development Pathway

​Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, UDA Gloucestershire will be taking on the management of Viney St Swithin’s 1st Team.

As part of this development, the UDA Development Squad will play under the Viney St Swithin’s umbrella in the Gloucestershire League. This will provide players with a more robust and consistent fixture programme, while also significantly reducing travel demands throughout the season.

The move will also support the long-term quality and sustainability of the playing surface at Viney. With two men’s teams playing out of the facility next season instead of three, the pitch will have greater opportunity to recover between matches, helping to protect and improve conditions for players across the programme.
Growth, Culture and Player Development

Beyond the results, one of the biggest successes of the season has been the continued development of the programme culture.

The women’s programme established a clearer playing identity, with players showing growth in confidence, understanding and consistency throughout the season. The group also built a strong team environment, with positive relationships and togetherness helping the squad navigate challenging moments and continue progressing.

Recruitment and retention have also strengthened the squad, creating healthy competition and giving the programme a strong platform moving forward.
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Across the wider football programme, more than 30 guest coaches from the PFA worked with UDA players this season, giving students access to insight and experience from current and former professionals.

Supporting Players On and Off the Pitch

​​UDA Gloucestershire continued to place strong emphasis on the full student-athlete experience, with ongoing development in welfare, sports therapy, strength and conditioning, academic support and player care.

The programme introduced improved systems to track injuries, treatment and return-to-play progress, helping staff better support players throughout the season. Psychology workshops were also delivered for both staff and players, providing valuable tools to support wellbeing, performance and the transition to life in the UK.

Academic support remained an important focus, with stronger links between the football and academic sides of the programme helping staff identify and support students who may need additional guidance.
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Looking ahead, the programme plans to continue developing its strength and conditioning provision, with more focused sessions designed to support individual player needs, improve physical progression and assist with injury prevention.

Looking Ahead to 2026/27

Planning is already underway for the 2026/27 campaign, with UDA Gloucestershire aiming to build on the momentum created this season.

Key priorities include continuing to develop the high-performing squad, expanding the use of GPS data to support player load management, providing further professional development opportunities for staff, and exploring sponsorship opportunities to support the continued growth and exposure of the programme.

The staff team is also looking forward to exciting new developments within the men’s and women’s game programmes, with a continued focus on improving the student-athlete experience year after year.

UDA Gloucestershire would like to thank all students, parents, staff and key stakeholders for their commitment and support throughout the 2025/26 season.
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It has been a fantastic year of growth, success and progress — and the programme is already looking ahead with excitement to what comes next.​

Just prior to Christmas, English universities were invited to nominate a select number of players for the English Universities National Team trials. UDA players Jaxson Hundt and Mikkiel Graham were nominated by University of Gloucestershire Head Coach Ivor Gumm, alongside two UK players from the 1st team. The initial trial took place in Bath for the Southern section, with approximately 50 players in attendance. Both Jaxson and Mikkiel impressed and successfully advanced to the next stage — a friendly fixture at Chichester University. Once again, both players performed strongly, earning selection to represent the English Universities South team in Jersey against Jersey Bulls FC, a Step 4 side.
In a tightly contested match, Jersey Bulls came away with a 2-1 win, despite the Universities side dominating possession for long periods. Mikkiel featured in the first half at centre back, before returning for the final 20 minutes at right full back. Jaxson led the line as a lone striker for 70 minutes, looking composed and comfortable at a very high level.
From there, both players continued to impress — earning spots in the 28-man national team pool and ultimately both making the final 25-man squad selected for the English Universities high-performance training camp at the end of June. Mikkiel and Jax's selection also marks the first time a University of Gloucestershire footballer has achieved national squad selection since 2001 — a milestone that now belongs to two UDA players at once.
Mikkiel reflected on the experience by saying: "I've really enjoyed my experiences with the English Uni South team so far. It's been a great environment with top players throughout the squad, along with a strong level of competition and staff. I'm excited to keep progressing with Jax and see what we can achieve."
Jaxson added: "I have really enjoyed meeting players from other teams, especially those who we have played against. I've loved travelling and bonding with new teammates and playing in different environments — the bonus being that I have gotten to experience all of this with Mikkiel."

UDA's Steve Lilley praised both players for their achievements: "Everyone at UDA and UoG are delighted for Mikkiel and Jax and immensely proud of their achievements to date. The on and off pitch experiences that they have already had are invaluable towards their holistic development, and we hope that the lads' success will inspire others to follow suit in future campaigns."
The progress of Jaxson and Mikkiel is another excellent example of the opportunities available to UDA players in the UK — not only to compete at a high level within university football, but to earn recognition on the national stage.

University Degrees Abroad (UDA) is proud to announce that Abbey Golden has joined the organization as National Recruitment Coordinator and Talent Identification Scout, strengthening UDA’s commitment to attracting high-level student-athletes to its academy programs in England.

A former NCAA Division I student-athlete at the University of the Pacific, Abbey brings extensive collegiate coaching experience, having served successfully as both an assistant and head coach. She holds a USSF B License and is a five-time Head Coach of the Year recipient, with more than 15 years of experience across collegiate and elite club environments. Throughout her career, Abbey has built a strong reputation for identifying and recruiting top talent while supporting the holistic development of student-athletes.

“I’m excited to join the UDA family and contribute to a pathway that provides student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic opportunities,” said Golden. “Having recruited and coached elite players nationwide across the NCAA, Girls Academy, and ECNL, I look forward to collaborating with an outstanding staff and helping guide student-athletes toward a global experience that prepares them for success.”

Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA, shared his enthusiasm for the appointment:
“After an extensive national search, we are thrilled to welcome Abbey to our team. Her deep connections within the women’s game, combined with her proven success in recruiting and program leadership, make her an exceptional addition. We are confident she will help attract talented student-athletes who will strengthen our academies both academically and competitively.”

Abbey will be attending several upcoming recruitment events and looks forward to connecting with prospective student-athletes and families interested in UDA academy programs in England.
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For recruitment inquiries, Abbey can be reached at agolden@udauk.org.

The UDA Gloucestershire Women’s program is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Cheltenham Town Women Football Club, making UDA the club’s official development team. This agreement creates a performance-driven pathway for student-athletes to compete at one of the highest levels of the women’s game, while pursuing their academic degrees through the University of Gloucestershire.

​“This opportunity to be paired with a Tier Three club in the National League provides greater potential for player development than what is typically available through local grassroots football,” said Brian Haley, Executive Director of UDA. “Our players will now have access to a professional environment that matches their ambitions and supports their growth both on and off the pitch.”

The partnership, signed this week by Haley and CTWFC Chair Andy Liddle, provides UDA student-athletes with access to Cheltenham Town Women’s coaching staff, shared training sessions, and the opportunity to be selected for the first-team squad. Under the leadership of UDA Program Director Steve Lilley, the relationship will ensure UDA women are integrated into a performance-oriented, well-structured academy environment.

“This is a significant step toward fulfilling UDA’s commitment to top-tier training and competitive matches,” Haley added. “It aligns perfectly with the high standards our U.S.-based recruitment team seeks. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship — allowing Cheltenham Town Women to access a pipeline of promising talent, while our players are challenged to reach their full potential.”

The partnership is further elevated by the appointment of Aneaka Reay-Kemp as head coach. Reay-Kemp, a standout female coach and participant in the Powerhouse Project supported by The FA and Nike, brings elite coaching and mentorship to the UDA women’s program.

“Steve Lilley has put together a fantastic multi-disciplinary coaching team for women,” Haley noted. “With Aneaka’s leadership and the support of the UDA and Cheltenham Town staff, the program now meets all the needs for top-class player development.”
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Haley concluded, “We’re very excited to get started — especially with the talented incoming class of student-athletes and our returning players in September. They’ll be stepping into a true high-performance football and academic environment.”

About UDA Gloucestershire
UDA (University Degrees Abroad) partners with the University of Gloucestershire to provide student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue their degrees while training and competing at a high level of football. The UDA model emphasizes education, personal development, and elite performance.
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About Cheltenham Town Women FC
Cheltenham Town Women FC competes in the FA Women’s National League (Tier Three), providing a high-performance environment for players aspiring to reach the top levels of the women’s game.

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to play against the club's reserve team. They secured an impressive 4-3 victory, leaving a positive impression on the club's staff. This marks an encouraging first step in developing a relationship for our UDA students.​

Beyond their training and match at the club, the students also enjoyed exploring the local area, often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal," and had some valuable downtime on the beach.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the UDA Parent Advisory Board (PAB) — a new initiative led by a committed group of parent volunteers who are passionate about supporting the success and well-being of all student-athletes at the UDA Soccer Academy.
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The PAB functions as an independent, parent-led advisory body. While officially recognized by UDA, the board operates autonomously and is not managed by Academy staff. No UDA staff members serve on the board, making this a truly grassroots, family-driven initiative.

The board’s mission is to foster open and meaningful dialogue between parents and UDA leadership, offering a collaborative space for questions, feedback, and ideas that can enhance the student experience. Currently in its foundational phase, the PAB is actively developing its structure, goals, and procedures to best serve the UDA community.

The PAB maintains regular communication with UDA Program Director, Steve Lilley, as well as other Academy staff members, to ensure transparency and alignment.

Parents are welcome to reach out to the PAB with questions, suggestions, or expressions of interest in getting involved by emailing ParentAB@udauk.org.

As fellow UDA parents, the PAB asks that all communications remain respectful and constructive as we work together to enrich the Academy journey for every student-athlete.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

Active PAB Members:

• James Todd – Board Chair
• Brian Rodriguez – Board Member
• Richard Muir – Board Member
• Shannen Scheafer – Board Member
• Dino Soave – Board Member
• Heather Hundt – Board Member
• Teana McDonald – Board Member
• David Butler - Board Member